The European Union has severely criticised Israeli policies in east Jerusalem, saying they demonstrate a clear intention to consolidate Israel’s annexation of the Arab half of the city. The criticisms are in a report presented to EU foreign ministers this week but not yet publicly released.

Israel expressed serious concerns about the report, which came as EU monitors prepare for the opening of a passenger terminal at Rafah on the Gaza-Egyptian border this weekend under a deal recently brokered by the US. It will give Gazans greater freedom of movement since the Israeli withdrawal earlier this year.

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the report on December 12. It was prepared by British and EU representatives in Jerusalem and Ramallah. Britain currently holds the EU presidency.